Prime rib is a holiday favorite that many people only indulge in once or twice a year. When you’re preparing this special-occasion roast, you want to ensure it turns out perfectly cooked with a crisp, flavorful crust every time.
Having the right roasting pan can make all the difference for prime rib success. The roasting pan conducts heat to the meat, allows for air circulation, contains juices for making au jus or gravy, and gives you a vehicle for moving a large roast in and out of the oven.
With so many roasting pans on the market, what type of roasting pan is best for prime rib? Here we will cover the key factors to keep in mind and recommend our top picks for the best roasting pan for prime rib.
Read more of our review; Best casserole for hob and oven.
Best Roasting Pan for Prime Rib
Table of Content
1. Viking Culinary 3-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pan
.
Key Features:
- Even heat distribution
- Handles poultry up to 25lb
- 3-ply stainless steel and aluminum construction
- Reinforced steel handles
- A nonstick roasting rack included
- Oven safe up to 600°F
- Dishwasher safe
- Works on all stovetops including induction
Planning on buying a high-quality roasting pan with an excellent performance Viking Culinary 3-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pan with Nonstick Rack is ideal. And you won’t be wrong with this choice, it takes the place of our top choice not just for cost representation but for quality. On aesthetics, it has a good mirror finish, and a flat bottom, easy to use for turkey, prime rib, and veggies. It is excellent for Roasting poultry, meats, or vegetables.
Viking Culinary 3-Ply Stainless Steel Roasting Pan is a heavy-duty roasting pan with a stainless Interior. It is easy to use and clean. Designed for comfort. The construction and dynamic features make the Viking 3-Ply Roasting Pan a must-have for the home cook. Equipped with inverted handles, this roaster is easier to maneuver while conserving precious oven space.
The Viking Roaster’s cooking surface is large enough to fit a 25-pound turkey or other larger roasts. Induction-ready, the roaster’s interior 18/10 stainless steel cooking surface will not react with food, leaving all of those great flavors intact to make the perfect gravy.
2. Cuisinart 16-Inch Roaster
Key Features:
- Stainless Triple Ply Construction.
- Heat Surround Technology.
- Solid Stainless Steel Rack.
- Dishwasher Safe.
- Lifetime Warranty
The Cuisinart 16″ Roasting Pan is a top seller that consistently earns high marks. It’s crafted from stainless steel with an aluminum core allowing quick, even heating.
The V-shaped rack with it lifts the meat up off the bottom and maximizes air circulation and crisping. Wide, sturdy handles provide a secure grip, so you can confidently maneuver this large pan, even when loaded up with a heavy roast.
With its ample 16 x 13-inch cooking surface, this Cuisinart pan can easily fit roasts up to 12 pounds. It’s oven-safe up to 500°F and broiler-safe as well for finishing off the crust. Both the pan and rack are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
This roasting pan gives you excellent performance and features at a budget-friendly price point. The pan does have a tendency to warp at very high temperatures above 500°F, so we don’t recommend it for searing.
3. Mr. Captain Roasting Pan with Rack and Lid
Key Features:
- 18/10 stainless steel construction
- 12-quart capacity
- Nonstick V-rack included
- Tempered glass lid included
- Riveted handles for durability
- Induction compatible
- Oven safe up to 500°F
- Dishwasher safe
When it’s time to roast up a Thanksgiving bird or slow-cook a Sunday pot roast, you want a pan that can tackle the big jobs. This 12-quart roaster from Mr. Captain serves up serious cooking performance thanks to its ultra-durable 18/10 stainless steel body.
This pan comes with a nonstick V-rack that elevates meats for even cooking while allowing juices to collect in the bottom for gravy. Also, its wide riveted handles provide a steady grip even with a 20-pound turkey inside.
One unique feature of this pan that will interest you is the presence of a tempered glass lid, which transforms it into a covered braiser for steaming fish fillets or simmering stew.
The Stainless steel encapsulated aluminum design of this powerful tool ensures superior heat distribution whether searing on the stovetop or roasting in a hot oven up to 500°F. Additionally, When the feasting is done, the entire pan cleans up easily in the dishwasher. Brushed stainless steel provides a mirror finish that will maintain its luster through years of holiday meals and family gatherings.
4. Calphalon Classic 16-Inch Roaster with Nonstick Rack
Key Features:
- lightweight medium-gauge hard-anodized aluminum. Even heat distribution.
- Non-stick rack.
- Highly polished stainless steel handles for safe, secure transport.
- Oven safe up to 450°F.
- Not dishwasher safe.
- Don’t use it on an induction stove.
The Calphalon Classic Roaster with Nonstick Rack; is made of medium-gauge hard-anodized aluminum, with a design dimension of 16×13 inches. is all you need to cook up that monster prime rib roast and it is capable of roasting a 25-pound turkey.
This pan serves perfectly for bacon cooking, all you need to do is preheat an oven to 450°F/230°C. Then, set the rack on top of the griddle pan and place the bacon slices in a single layer on the rack. Transfer the griddle to the oven and bake until the bacon is browned and crispy, about 20 – 23 minutes (or until done to your liking). Lastly, blot the excess grease off the top of the bacon and serve immediately using paper towels.
This roasting pan is compatible with gas, electric, halogen, or glass cooktops, good for gravy. The Calphalon Classic 16-inch Roaster with Nonstick Rack is made of durable, hard-anodized aluminum for even heating. It has stainless steel loop handles for easy lifting and turning while the rack has a nonstick coating that elevates foods for even browning, and allows fats and liquids to drain away.
5. Anolon Triply Clad Stainless Steel Roaster
Key Features:
- 3-ply stainless steel and aluminum construction
- 17 x 12.5-inch dimensions
- V-shaped roasting rack included
- Riveted stainless steel handles
- Oven safe up to 600°F
- Induction compatible
- Dishwasher safe
This roasting pan from Anolon utilizes a triple-layer design with aluminum enclosed between stainless steel for the ultimate heating performance.
The middle layer aluminum design of this pan allows for rapid, even heat distribution across the entire pan surface. This means your prime rib roast achieves a perfect medium-rare edge-to-edge without any hot or cold spots.
The Anolon Triply Clad Stainless Steel Roaster comes with thick, riveted handles to provide a steady grip when maneuvering the hefty pan. and, a V-shaped roasting rack to lift your turkey or beef above the pan floor so airflow can circulate on all sides for crispy, flavorful results.
When the feasting is done, the entire pan cleans up easily either by hand or in the dishwasher. If you want a roaster that can keep up with big holiday meals and family gatherings for years to come, this Anolon pan is up for the task.
6. All-Clad Specialty Stainless Steel Roaster
- 3-ply bonded stainless steel and aluminum
- 13 x 16-inch dimensions
- V-shaped nonstick roasting rack
- Riveted stainless steel handles
- Oven and broiler safe up to 600°F
- Dishwasher safe
Sear and roast your way to juicy, flavorful results with this heavy-duty roaster from legendary American cookware maker All-Clad. At the core of its 3-ply bonded construction lies a thick aluminum layer that heats quickly and evenly across the entire pan. No cold spots here!
This roaster from All Clad comes with a nonstick V-rack that lifts your turkey or prime rib up from the pan floor, promoting air circulation for crispy browning while allowing juices to collect underneath for gravy making.
The large riveted handle design provides a confidence-inspiring grip when maneuvering the hefty loaded pan. From stovetop searing at high heat to slower roasting at low temps, this roaster’s stainless steel beauty maintains its mirror finish.
Clean up of this pan is a cinch by hand or in the dishwasher. An heirloom cooking piece built to last decades, All-Clad delivers timeless quality and performance.
7. Granite Ware 25 lb. Enamelware Oven Rectangular Roaster with lid
Key Features:
-
- Carbon steel with porcelain enamel interior
- Generous 25 lb capacity
- Tempered glass lid included
- Wide loop handles for secure grip
- Oven safe up to 400°F
When it comes time to serve up slow-roasted pot roasts or baked casseroles for a crowd, this generously sized 25 lb roaster from Granite Ware is ready for the job. Its carbon steel body boasts a gleaming porcelain enamel interior that heats evenly and provides a nonstick cooking surface.
-
The Wide loop handles allow for a steady, confident grip when transferring the hefty pan in and out of the oven. A tempered glass lid transforms this into a covered braiser, ideal for steamed veggies or one-pot meals. Oven safe up to 400°F, this roaster can tackle long cooking times without warping. And when the feasting is done, hand washing is a cinch.
-
For those with lots of mouths to feed, Granite Ware delivers a high-capacity roaster built to handle the demands of large gatherings.
8. Cuisinart Multiclad Pro Triple Ply Stainless Cookware 16-inch Roasting Pan Skillet
Key Features:
- Triple-ply stainless steel construction
- 16 x 13 x 2.5 inch dimensions
- V-shaped roasting rack included
- Riveted stainless steel handles
- Oven safe up to 500°F
- Compatible with induction cooktops
- Dishwasher safe
This roasting pan from Cuisinart delivers serious heating power thanks to its triple-ply construction of stainless steel surrounding an aluminum core.
The aluminum middle layer heats quickly and evenly across the entire pan surface for perfectly cooked meats edge to edge. Also, its handy V-shaped rack lifts your roast up from the pan bottom, allowing air circulation for delicious browning while the juices below become the base for gravy.
With this pan, you have a whole lot of comfort transporting your pan from one point to the other as a result of its Cool grip riveted handles that provide control and confidence in maneuvering the heavily loaded pan.
This versatile pan is oven, broiler, and induction cooktop safe, this roaster goes from stovetop searing to low and slow oven roasting seamlessly. When the feasting is done, cleanup is a cinch by hand or dishwasher. Built to last through decades of celebratory meals, Cuisinart delivers a roasting pan ready to become your family’s new holiday tradition.
9. Circulon Nonstick Roasting Pan 
Key Features:
- Heavy gauge steel construction promotes even heat distribution.
- superior nonstick technology provides excellent food release and easy cleanup.
- The oven is safe to 450 degrees Fahrenheit,
- and superior nonstick for easy food release and clean-up.
- wide handles allow a confident grip.
- High performance on a low-budget
The Circulon miscellaneous roaster is a Heavy-gauge steel roaster pan that is designed to resist warping for years of roasting performance, good for low budget spending but a guarantee of high performance just that the product does not have a lifetime guarantee, also you might want to know that circulon miscellaneous roaster features a convenient U-shaped rack that keeps meats off the bottom of the pan. It is a perfect fit for standard ovens, will serve for thanksgiving turkey, prime rib, chicken, and veggies.
Check the review by Carol “Perfect for my Prime Rib Love my Circulon non-stick roasting pan. After roasting and enjoying my signature prime rib and then spending an hour scouring the pan, it was time to change, so I researched them all and especially liked this curved rack.
This roaster is perfect for anyone desiring the best roasting pan for prime rib, turkey, or whole chicken”. Take out the rack and make a deep dish lasagna.” If you want a low-budget purchase with high performance put an eye on this.
10. All-Clad Specialty Stainless Steel Roaster
This pan stands out in design among other pans with its exceptional searing and roasting capabilities. This pan has All-Clad flared sides that are fully clad construction, which allows for the best heat circulation of the pans we tested. The bent tip will enable you to pour off pan juices cleanly. Also, this pan comes with a V-shaped rack that holds roasts and poultry of varied sizes and shapes up to 20lbs.
Though this pan is expensive when compared with other pans as regard cost. But from what we saw, it’s a worthy investment for people that need a superb roasting pan. If you wish for one-pan meals or weekly Sunday roasts, this pan will serve you well.
All-Clad’s flared sides help circulate air efficiently, which allows more radiant heat to be distributed to the deepest inside the walls of the pan. In our tests, the All-Clad roasted turkey was thought to be the only pan with an all-over deep golden color that extended down around the wings. This roaster outperformed the competition at searing chicken, consistently rendering and browning each piece.
Key Considerations for the Best Roasting Pan for Prime Rib
There are several important criteria that come into play when selecting a roasting pan for prime rib:
Just like saying what makes a good roasting pan.
Size and Shape
The roasting pan needs to be large enough to comfortably accommodate your roast size with a few inches of clearance on all sides. This allows for proper air circulation so the meat cooks evenly.
You’ll want the length and width to be at least 1-2 inches larger than your roast. The standard size for a prime rib roast is 16 x 13 inches, which fits most average-sized roasts.
However, if cooking a very large roast over 8 pounds, you may need to go up a size. Oval and rectangular pans are better suited than round ones for the shape of most prime rib roasts.
A depth of at least 2 inches is ideal, which prevents spillovers. Go for 3 inches or more for very large roasts.
Materials
The pan’s material impacts how evenly and efficiently it conducts heat to the roast. Stainless steel, aluminum, and ceramic are common options.
Stainless steel is durable but on its own doesn’t heat as evenly. Aluminum heats quickly and evenly but is reactive to acids and can warp at very high temperatures.
Ceramic heats gently and cleanly but may crack under rapid temperature changes. Many roasting pans combine materials to get the best of both worlds.
Rack or No Rack
Some roasting pans come with a removable V-shaped rack that fits inside the pan. The rack elevates the meat away from the bottom to allow for airflow and prevents it from stewing in its juices.
Racks yield a nice crust, but you lose the benefit of juices pooling in the bottom that can be used for making gravy or au jus. Racks also don’t allow you to add aromatics like onions and garlic under the roast.
Handles
Look for large, sturdy handles that allow you to grip and maneuver the pan confidently when loaded with a heavy roast. Handles should be oven-safe at high temperatures and stay cool.
Ease of Cleaning
Roasting prime rib can leave your pan covered in fat drippings and baked-on residue. Nonstick surfaces make cleanup easier. Be sure to choose options labeled oven or dishwasher safe up to 450°F+ to handle the high heat.
Prime Rib Roasting Tips and Techniques
Follow these tips when using your roasting pan to achieve outstanding prime rib every time:
Target the Right Internal Temperature
Pull your roast out of the oven when the thickest part reaches 135°F for medium-rare, which is the ideal doneness for prime rib. The temperature will continue rising as it rests.
140°F gives you more of a medium doneness. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to monitor the temp and avoid overcooking.
Calculate the Roast Time
Figure around 13 minutes per pound for the initial lower-temperature cooking phase. For example, a 10 lb roast cooks for around 130 minutes total.
Finish at 450°F for the last 15-20 minutes to crisp and brown the outside after most of the internal cooking is done.
Allow the Roast to Rest
Letting the roast rest for at least 15-30 minutes after removing it from the oven allows the juices to redistribute through the meat.
This results in a more tender, moist final product. The inner temp will continue rising about 10-15°F during the resting time.
Sear the Exterior Well
Get a nice brown crust on the top and bottom by starting at a high temp (500°F). Reduce after 15-30 minutes once browned.
You can sear on the stovetop first before transferring to the roasting pan if your pan isn’t suitable for high heat.
Baste and Use Aromatics
Basting the roast while it cooks in the pan helps promote browning. Submerge garlic cloves and onions under the roast to impart flavor.
Rosemary, thyme, and sage are excellent dried herbs to coat the exterior. Compound butter also enhances the flavor.
Make Au Jus from the Drippings
Straining and degreasing the juices from the pan after cooking allows you to make a simple au jus sauce for serving.
Just whisk in a bit of flour to thicken it to the desired consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size pan do I need for a 4-5 lb prime rib roast?
For a 4-5 lb roast, a 13 x 9-inch pan provides sufficient room. Allow 2-4 inches of clearance on all sides.
Should I sear the roast before putting it in the oven?
Searing helps develop a nice brown crust. You can do it in a pan on the stovetop first or start it in the roasting pan at 500°F oven temperature before dropping to the cooking temp.
Do I need to flip or rotate the roast while cooking?
Flipping isn’t necessary. Placing it fat cap up on a rack allows basting and promotes browning.
Can I make prime rib in a disposable aluminum pan?
It’s not ideal – disposable pans don’t conduct heat well. Reusable pans made for roasting are a better choice.
How long does cooked prime rib last in the fridge?
Cooked prime rib keeps 3-4 days refrigerated. Slice the leftover roast and store it in an airtight container.
Do I need a roasting pan for prime rib?
Yes. However, You don’t absolutely need a dedicated roasting pan to cook prime rib, but using one can make the process easier and give better results.